2 Corinthians 9:6-15
BOUNTIFULLY
In Biblical days seed was sown by hand and the thickness the seed was sown, or the thinness was controlled by the hand as well. Generally speaking if one sowed a lot of seeds, there would a more generous crop, and if he scattered the seed widely, there would be less at harvest time. It is possible, of course, to plant the seed too thickly and the result is that none of it does really well. Carrots, having fine seed can easily be too close together, so we needed to thin the new plants by pulling out some of them and leaving room for the carrot to expand.
6 But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 22:9, Galatians 6:7, Galatians 6:9)
Applied to evangelism, it is possible to come on too strong and drive away those who would have listened with care. I remember a young teen coming into our Bible and publisher’s bookstore and without giving a moment to reply, he repeated his prepared message and then promptly left. I was not given even a moment to reply. That is how not to do it. Given a little time, he might have been better informed. Of course that was not what he wanted, especially as his text was taken out of context. It was something like the minister who had a weak point in his presentation, so he wrote on the margin of his notes, “The point is weak, pound on the pulpit and shout.” Volume and fluster, does not make it any stronger. Perhaps a rewrite would help.
CHEERFULLY
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(Deuteronomy 15:10, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 8:12, Exodus 25:2)
Let us consider in advance what we can afford to give, and give from the heart. I once knew a colleague of whom it was said that he would give the shirt off his back. That is admirable, perhaps, put we do have a responsibility for our own family’s legitimate needs. We must be loving of them as well as others. Let us give with love, possibly a little more than we planned ahead, that we might grow in the faith and our love be increased. I personally regard the tithe as God’s, Malachi 3:8, and gifts 3:10 additionally out of love. God does not change, and he says here that we are robbing him if we do not return the tithe to him.
ABUNDANTLY ABLE
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(Ephesians 3:20)
God is capable of blessing our crops, or our lives in every way, but we do not give for that reason. We give because we love. The church in Corinth had many problems, but this second letter tells us that they had also changed in many ways for the better.
BLESS AND BLESSED
Christ wants us to be generous, first to the needy of the church, but also to those not yet Christian, but he does not tell us to put them on the payroll of the church lest they become Christians in name only.
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
(Psalm 112:9)
As a believer, we have the privilege of sharing that which we know and at the same time to be blessed in degree as we have shared with others
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
(Isaiah 55:10, Hosea 10:12)
11 Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
(1 Corinthians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 1:11)
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the Saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
(2 Corinthians 8:14, 2 Corinthians 1:11)
13 Whiles by the experiment of this administration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
(Romans 15:37, 2 Corinthians 8:4, Matthew 9:8, 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Corinthians 2:12)
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
(2 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 5:15)
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READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR
SEPTEMBER
1st Sunday - Isaiah 1, 2, 2 Corinthians 1, Proverbs 21:13-23
2nd Monday - Isaiah 3, 4, 2 Corinthians 2, Psalm 105:1-11
3rd Tuesday - Isaiah 5, 6, 7, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 10512-22
4th Wednesday - Isaiah 8, 9, 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 105:23-36
5th Thursday - Isaiah 10,11, 2 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 21:24-31
6th Friday - Isaiah 12, 13, 14, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 105:37-45
7th Saturday - Isaiah 15, 16, 17, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 106:1-15
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MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY
“Finally , brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
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A MIRACLE AT THE GAS STATION
Sister Mary, who worked for a home health agency, was out making her rounds visiting homebound patients when she ran out of gas. As luck would have it, a gas station was just a block away. She walked to the station to borrow a gas can and buy some gas.
The attendant told her that the only gas can he owned had been loaned out, but she could wait until it was returned.
Since the nun was on the way to see patient, she decided not to wait and walked back to her car. She looked for something in the car that she could fill with gas and spotted a bedpan she was taking to the patient.
Always resourceful, she carried the bedpan to the station, filled it with gas, and carried it back to her car.
As she was pouring the gas into the tank, two men were watching from across the street.
One of them turned to the other and said, “If it starts, I’m converting.”
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